Short Story Sunday-#19

Little Talks

For this SSS, I have decided to write a story based on one of my favorite songs, "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men. I'm just going to listen to the song and not look at any lyrics or anything like that, and I have no idea what the song is about, so this will be fun. BTW: I do realize that this song actually already has a special meaning to it, but I'll be making my own. This is kind of a last minute thing, so I don't know how good it'll be.

   The boat gently rocked Johanna asleep. I laid in the bed across the room, unable to fall asleep. The moving of the boat kept me awake instead of helping me sleep like my sister.

    I threw off my covers and glanced at Johanna. She pulled her hands closer to her face and breathed out. I opened the wood door a crack and slid out into the narrow hallway where I clambered up the stairs. Men ran around everywhere, pulling on ropes, shouting directions, and climbing up masts. 

   The captain spotted me and walked over. 

   "Why are you here, circus boy? It's the middle of the night," he shouted over the noise, "I told you to stay in your room. We're only a few days from land. Then we can take you to the circus." The circus. They were taking us to the circus because everyone believed that my sister was mental. "Go back down th-" Before he finished, a high-pitched scream called me.

   "Hinrik! Help!" Johanna. I dashed to the stairs but slipped on the first step. I tumbled to the bottom and pushed open the door to our room. Johanna was sitting up in her bed, her lips quivering and her face dripping with sweat. I crouched at her bedside.

   "Screams. I heard screams," she managed to say, "The screams all sound the same." Her eyes blankly stared at the wall behind me. "I'm scared." Then her eyes brightened again and she seemed to come out of her trance, but I could still see the darkness hanging from her eyes. "Don't listen to a word I say. It was just a dream." She always said this and I never believed her.

   I stood up and got into my bed, and once again, was unable to sleep.

   "Hinrik?"

   "Yes, Johanna?"

   "Where are we going?"

   "I think we're going to a circus."

   "What if we die?"

   "This ship will carry our bodies safe to shore. Good-night Johanna."

   "Good-night, Hinrik."

The next morning, we woke up and the captain told us to come out onto deck. He pushed us onto a plank that took us to a sandy dock. 

   We walked to a plump lady who smiled and asked the captain, "Are these the children?'

   "Yes, this is Hinrik, and he's 16," he said patting my shoulder, "And this is Johanna and she's 15. They're both Icelandic." He leaned in close to the woman and whispered something that made her glance at Johanna. Then the captain stood up straight, brushed off his coat and walked back to the ship.

   "Come along children. We're going to your new home." She lead us to a carriage attached to a horse and told us to get in. We did as we were told and sat in silence in the back.

   The horse pulled up to an old broken down house and we got out.

   "This way!" She walked to the door and stepped inside.

   "I don't like walking around this old and empty house,"Johanna said to the lady.

   Then hold my hand and walk with me, my dear." She kindly held out her hand ans Johanna took it. The lady took us to our room and was surprised by our lack of luggage. She left us alone for the rest of the day.

   At night, Johanna tossed and turned, keeping me awake. The lady somehow knew and gently pushed open our door. 

   "What's the matter?"

   "Stairs creak as you sleep, it's keeping me awake."

   The lady sat on her bed and said, "It's the house telling you to close your eyes." She stroked Johanna's hari and left.

In the afternoon of the next day I was told to wait outside while she spoke to Johanna. I held my ear to the door and listened in.

   "You're name is Johanna, right?" she asked politely. There was a short silence where perhaps, Johanna was nodding.

   "Are we at a circus?"

   "Oh, goodness! No! That would be cruel. I am here to help you. Tell me about yourself."

   Johanna took a deep breath and said, "Some days I don't know if I am wrong or right."

   "Your mind is playing tricks on your, my dear."

   "There's an old voice in my head that's holding me back."

   "Well, tell her that I miss our little talks."

   "What talks?"

   "That's what your brother's thinking. Hinrik, it's not nice to listen in on conversations. Come in." How did she know? I open the door and sit on my bed.

   "Now, Hinrik. What little talks?"

   "We used to play outside when we were young, full of life and full of love. We used to talk about beautiful things and not those saddening nightmares she gets."

   "Johanna, is there anything else I need to know?"

   "Can't do anything by myself. Some days I can't even dress myself."

   "It's killing me to see you this way," I said. Then Johanna turned to cough a heart-wrenching cough.

After a few months, Johanna seemed to have nightmares less. We even grew fond of the sweet plump lady. But one day, Johanna woke up screaming.

   "Hinrik! I'm going to die. The screams! They've always been me. They all sound the same because they're me. Help me!" The lady came in and sat at her bed. She stroked her hair and whispered thing into her ear. Johanna's breathing slowed and she laid back down. Just as her head hit the pillow, she coughed. The cough had become more and more frequent. Johanna stayed in bed for the rest of the day.

   After dinner the following day, I heard Johanna groan. Then she screamed. I raced up stairs and found the lady at her bedside. I collapsed next to Johanna and listened to her moan and scream. Her body writhed and she coughed uncontrollably. The pain reached me, but in a different way. Her screams hurt me and my heart beat out of my chest.

   Then, all at once, it stopped. The screams. The coughing. And my heart. I watched her body. I watched her soul leave her. I collapsed again on the floor and fell unconscious.

I woke up in my bed and just stared at the ceiling. Johanna?

   Yes? Her voice said.

   You're gone away. I watched you disappear. All that's left is a ghost of you. Now we're torn apart. There's nothing I can do. 

   Just let me go, we'll meet again soon.

   Now, wait for me. 

   Please hang around. 

   I'll see you when I fall asleep.

And that night I did. When I fell asleep, I saw Johanna playing in the field. She beckoned for me to join her. I pranced out to her and she ran away. I chased her. After I tagged her, we sat on a rock under a tree. She showed me to make flower chains. Then when the sun set, we walked away, hand-in-hand. We were happy. Quite happy indeed.

Short Story Sunday-#18

   The Sky's Tears

The pitter-patter soothes me to a trance-like state as I watch the water roll down the windshield in small waves. Cool air from the open window makes me shiver, making me pull my coat tighter. Finding my book, I read for a minute, getting sucked into the story. I glance up. The windshield is covered with water droplets and no matter how fast the wipers go, we still can't see out. The road has become a blurred grey strip. I stare at the windshield and try to assist my mom in seeing the road.
   Soon, the wipers can slow down and we can see the road clearly. The dark clouds make my whole day dismal. I try to make the day beautiful. The clouds make way for the sun and it bathes the road in light. The sky turns blue and the water on the road dries up. Trees bloom as we drive by. Singing birds fly across the road, narrowly missing the speeding car.
   "We're here!" I get pulled from my imagination and the dark clouds deepen my spirits again. Water still streaks across the sky.
   I step out in the drizzle. My raincoat is spotted with water instantly. A plump drop falls onto my scalp, through my hair. My mom walks by with an umbrella and I hear little fingers flicking the soft fabric. The umbrella is soon soaked. I pick up my book and slam the door. The book gets slipped into my coat and I zip it up with a whiz to protect it from harmful water. The library would kill me. I look up at the sky and feel the cold water dropping on my cheeks. Starting to walk, I look where I'm going. A house.
   Three boys come running out. The oldest says "hi" to me and moves on to my mom. The youngest shouts, "Georgia!" and trots to me.
   One about the age of nine says, "Hi, Georgia."
   I smile and say, "How are you doing?"
   "Good." I hear the door open a close as another boy about my age comes out.
   "Hey," he says and I return his "hey" and their parents come out and greet me.
   "You're so grown up," their mom says as she hugs me. I just smile and blush. "Let's go inside." I notice the boys don't have shoes as their feet slap the pavement, stepping in every puddle possible.
   Just as I close the door behind me, the sound of water on the pavement becomes harder and faster. I sigh. I'm totally soaked head-to-foot. My nose dripping with water and my hair plastered to my face in clumps, I remove my shoes and take my book to the safety of the bedroom. I set it on the side-table and race back outside to get my bag. My raincoat doesn't collect any more water this time, but it starts up again a few minutes later.
   That evening, I lean against the window listening to the pitter-patter of the water. I press my forehead to the cool window and close my eyes. When they open, the sun has appeared from behind the clouds and the last of the water streaks down the window, chasing its friends to a puddle on the ground.

Short Story Sunday-#17

Honovi of Kele Island

Honovi stood in the doorway of her hut. Soon she would have to give her task to her granddaughter. Honovi was growing old and the passing ceremony would have to take place while she was still alive.

Life was hard in the jungle. They lived on the Kele island in one big tribe. Everyone knew everyone and Honovi was the only individual with this particular task, so it was very important for it to be passed on.

“Aiyana,” she called with a voice calm like the wind. The girl with a thick headband sitting atop her head and feathers tied around her arm came rushing across the sticks and twigs on the ground with feet as bare as an elephant.

“You called me, Honovi?”

“Yes, child. My time has come and I must teach you how to perform this important task.” Aiyana nodded and followed Honovi into her hut. The hut was a large circle with a fire in the middle. Small animal skulls, lined the walls. Aiyana shivered with fear. Honovi never understood why the youth never enjoyed being in here. This place was home to Honovi. On either side of the fire lay two squares formed by long leaves woven together.

“Sit, please.” Honovi gestured to a woven square. “Aiyana, I have foreseen my death and I know I must pass on my task. I have chosen you, my granddaughter. My own daughter already has her task, so she cannot take mine. You were next in line.” She paused. “Today, you shall assist me when patients come in. I will teach you all I know over the next few months, but first you must tell me. Is this a task you want to take on?”

Aiyana thought for a moment then looked into Honovi’s wrinkled face. She stared at the tattoos running up her arms.

“Yes, I would be honored.” A smile spread across Honovi’s face and she took her seat on the other side of the fire.

“First you must learn the foundation of this complicated task. You must learn to understand the spirits. Close your eyes, child.” Aiyana did as she was told. “Now, visualize your spirit.” Honovi saw a doe prancing in a meadow, fending off predators. Her name, Honovi, meant strong deer. She suspected Aiyana was visualizing a blossom, always in full bloom even in the coldest of times. Aiyana meant eternal blossom.

“Speak to your spirit. Not yet though. I shall show you the proper way.” Honovi took a deep breath and spoke to her doe.

“Great doe. Hear me call. I wish for your wisdom.” I am always here Honovi. Tell me your troubles. “How shall I teach this child?” Teach from the heart. Tell her all you know and do not cease until she knows all and has mastered the art of spirit summoning. “Thank you great doe. I bid you many thanks,” Honovi finished. “Now, child. Speak to your spirit properly and be respectful.” Aiyana tried and passed with flying colors. “Very good. I see we have our first patient.” She stood and pulled back the bamboo curtains covering the doorway.

A tall, strong man stood on the other side with a bow in his hand and arrows on his back. Tattoos trailed up his arms and down his bare chest, in the form of a tree. “Ah. Gaagi. Come in. I am teaching my apprentice to take over my task.” Gaagi smiled at Aiyana. Gaagi meant large tree, hence his tattos.

Aiyana gave her seat to Gaagi and leaned against the wall. Honovi took her spot by the fire and spoke to Gaagi.

“What troubles you so?”

“My head bangs inside and I feel as if something is attempting to force its way out.”

“Ah. I know just what to do.”

“You always do,” he said. Honovi nodded and stood up. The glow from the fire gave an ominous shadow to Honovi’s face as she looked down upon it.

“Oh, great spirits! Hear me call!” she bellowed, her voice booming across the room. “If you hear my voice, give us a signal!” Suddenly, the fire turned acid green expanded to the size of a grown man. It sent smoke everywhere, making Aiyana cough. The smoke swirled in the room and formed the words: We hear you, Honovi.

“Gaagi has a creature in his skull. Free this creature and help Gaagi!” The smoke slowly crept closer to Gaagi and encased him in a grey ball of smoke. Then all at once the smoke retreated and the fire shrank to a small orange flower. Honovi fell to the ground and Aiyana rushed to her aid.

“Aiyana, I am too old for this task. It is taking all my strength,” she wheezed.

Gaagi stood up. “I feel much better. I bid you many thanks, Honovi.” Then he turned and stepped out of the hut.

Honovi looked to Aiyana. “Let me show you how to make potions to cure stiff joints.”

Over the next few months, Honovi taught Aiyana how to brew, speak to other spirits and even summon them the way Honovi had. Aiyana could make fire turn green and smoke swirl to heal someone.

One day, after Aiyana had healed broken bones, moved stiff ones, cured headaches and many other things, Honovi knew that Aiyana was ready. She called for a ceremonial task passing.

That night, the whole tribe gathered in a clearing and danced in circles, singing in their native language by the firelight. Honovi came dressed in a long animal skin and multi-colored feathers were woven into her hair.

Then the time came where Aiyana and Honovi cut their wrists and took a blood oath they had memorized. Everyone was silent until they had finished. Then everyone went back to celebrating. There was food and dance. Honovi was old, but she could sing with the most beautiful voice.

The next morning, Honovi passed away in her sleep, knowing that her work in the world was complete and she had left her task in the hands of a capable young girl.